Nottingham Forest Match Preview
West Ham United have been stuck on fourteen points since the 2-2 home draw with Newcastle United on October 8. To add to that, they have only won a solitary game between then and the first week in September. With another international break around the corner, the Hammers will want to finally get their first Premier League win since the 2-0 home success over newly-promoted Sheffield United when Nottingham Forest visit Stratford this afternoon.
Just like last season, the Tricky Trees have only achieved victory once on the road this term and the Hammers will hope for a repeat of the performance against Steve Cooper’s men in the corresponding fixture when they beat them 4-0 back on 25 February. Having said that, I’m sure that the visitors will have other ideas, as they make the trip to East London off the back of a 2-0 home triumph against Aston Villa a week ago. Another factor going in favour of the visitors is that they have had a full week’s preparation but, being fresh doesn’t always amount to good results!!!
As we all know, the hosts don’t have those luxuries these days but they did bounce back from the defeat at Brentford by gaining revenge on Greek outfit Olympiacos in Stratford just three days ago. Fingers crossed they are full of confidence and can climb the table.
Moyes revealed in his pre-match news conference ahead of this game on Friday that Kurt Zouma will have to be assessed, despite being part of the matchday squad against Olympiacos the night before.
Both James Ward-Prowse and Łukasz Fabiański have captained the team in recent weeks but with Alphonse Areola expected to be back in the starting line-up this afternoon, Ward-Prowse is set to assume responsibilities again if Zouma doesn’t start.
Lucas Paquetá and Edson Álvarez returned from suspension in the week and they are hoping to be involved once more.
Michail Antonio was rested last time out and he is likely to regain his place against his former club, while Tomáš Souček will also be considered for selection.
The match is a 2pm kick-off and live coverage will be screened by Sky Sports from 1pm. The referee is Michael Salisbury.